User Manual To Self-Love

The next time

you feel like

indulging in self-love,

take a deep breath.

Shut the curtains.

Latch the doors.

Put out the loud lights.

Leave a few dim ones on — maybe.

Walk up to the biggest mirror

in the house.

Stand there — still and quiet.

Relish the look on your face

as your eyes dance around

the curves of your skin.

Peel off every last shred

of fabric on you.

Don't take off your eyes.

You dare not flinch.

And as you watch yourself

in all your stripped glory,

touch yourself —

and don’t stop

until the only noise in the house

is your moan,

and the only fragrance

is that of your pheromones

kissing your sweat.

And as you struggle

to catch your breath,

let it shudder

and wither

within you.

As you lie down

on your bed.

The next time

you feel like

indulging in self-love —

don’t dress up

and go screaming

at faceless names

to jerk your insecurities off to.

The next time

you feel like

indulging in self-love —

go fuck yourself

and drown your demons

in your orgasms.

It’s self-love.

Love yourself.

Shut the fuck up.

Move on.